greyhound medical issue

[GreytMom]

My 10 year old greyhound has developed a rash on her belly (of course hairless). We've done 2 rounds of antibiotics, first 500 mg. 2x/day of Clavimox, next a round of 750 mg. 2x/day of Cefelexin (sp?). The rash goes away then after 7-10 days after the antibiotics are gone the rash begins to come back.

I don't want her living on antibiotics and have an appt. with a holistic vet in 6 days hoping for a natural remedy. Our regular vet has never used the holistic vet but did research to find her for us. The problem right now is that the rash has spread and is very bad. It was doing better since I've been using corn starch but I was away a few hours today and she got into aggitating it horribly.

Does anyone out there have any suggestions about how best to treat this? She has no rash anywhere else on her body, just from her bottom area proceeding up her belly. Hope someone can help or has some ideas that have worked for them before.

I hope to hear soon if there is anything further I can do for now or for good. I'm miserable when she's not well.

Thanks-
GreytMom

[jenarby]

Sounds like an allergy. Possibly a contact allergy since it's in an area without hair. What does she sleep on? Could it be whatever you use to wash her bedding?
I wouldn't *think* it would be a food allergy as that tends to be more of an all over body itching or chewing of the feet.
I would suggest trying to see an animal allergist.
Don't know what part of the country you are in but there is a good one at OSU. I've forgotten her name though. Maybe check around with some of the vet schools in your area, they might be able to help.

[Shannon]

That's exactly what I thought when I read that too, Jen. Allergies. Have you tried giving her some Benadryl (which I believe is safe for Greys, but you would want to check, I'm sure) to see if that provides relief?
I used to have a greyhound cross, and he did have allergy issues, like you are describing. It's amazing how many dogs have them these days. Does she ever lick her feet?

[classicollars]

Allergies sound likely. Another possibility is eczema or another kind of dermatitis that could respond well to a steroidal cream. If antibiotics make the rash go away but it comes right back, the cause of the rash probably isn't bacterial at all. It might be as simple as dry winter itchy skin!

Good luck... I hope your baby's feeling better soon.

[Neeners]

What does the rash look like? Hot Spots? Not that I know too much, just what I have been going through with my lab (dont know that much about greyhounds)... Anyway, my lab gets hotspots really really bad.. no hair left on her belly when she has them. Been to the (3 different ones) vets umpteen times. Antibiotics galour. Rash always came back after a week or two. Then it was suggested to me (on here) to change her food.. Ive changed her food twice, to more all natural stuff. No meats, just fish and a veggie.. salmon and sweet potato seems to do the trick. Lamb and rice helped at first but she became allergic to that too. Im using the Wellness brand foods right now and she has been doing wonderfully for months now. I have also tried the Holistic Blends brand, which helped but never cleared it up completely like the Wellness foods have. I also dont give her any other 'snacks' that are meat based and she is doing well.. Just an option to try along the allergies line.

[jenarby]

Greytmom thinks she has figured out the root of her dog's problem. She narrowed it down in timing to when she starts her dog on beef flavored interceptor heartworm meds. She's planning on trying to get in with an allergist too. I suggested talking to her vet about the injectible heartwork preventitive called "Pro-Heart." If switching proves the problem then it should be an easy fix, if not, hopefully the allergist can give her some insight.

[Dawn]

Proheart was taken off the market due to complaints. They are fighting it but I haven't heard anything new in a while. They do have unflavored heartguard that would probably help solve the problem with the rash. The gal I work with at the vet clinic has a lab that is extremely allergic and this is what MSU has had her giving as everything cues up her allergies. With luck you can find that in your area or have your vet order them in for you. Allergies are no fun but they can be controlled. Course I say that as April's last assignment from MSU was feeding Ostrich meat mix to her dog, she had to ship in the meat or drive 2 1/2 hrs to pick it up, and then make up the whole recipe. The things we don't do for our dogs!!

[jenarby]

Hmmmm...I wasn't aware of that Dawn, thanks.
I know they also make heartgard and interceptor in an actual pill as well. Not as popular because owners like to give "treats" to their dogs.